M.S. in Statistics - Program
Guidelines This
document
supplements the Montana
State University Graduate Catalog.
The Master
of Science degree in statistics at Montana State University gives
students
a solid background in the applications as well as the theory of
statistics.
Students in this program prepare either for further graduate work or
for
academic, industrial, business, or government employment. Upon
entrance,
each student meets with the department's Graduate Program Committee to
discuss
career objectives and first year course work. During the second
semester
in the program each student forms a Graduate Committee and together,
they
outline the student's degree program. The prerequisites for the
master's degree
program in statistics consist of the following semester courses or
their
equivalent: Multivariable Calculus (MATH 224), Linear Algebra (MATH 333
or
MATH 441), Probability (STAT 420), and Mathematical Statistics (STAT
424).
Students who have not completed these courses may still enter the
master's program. It is suggested that these courses then be taken
after enrolling. Either Plan
A (thesis and 20 credits of course work) or Plan B
(30 credits
of course work) can be chosen. In either case, all courses on a
graduate
program must be numbered 400 or higher, and STAT courses must be
numbered
410 or higher. The specific program of study depends on the student's
previous
training and experience. Regardless of the plan chosen, (i) at least
half
of the required non-thesis credits must be STAT courses, (ii) at least
two-thirds
of the required non-thesis credits must be numbered 500 or higher, and
(iii)
the following 14 semester core course credits are required:
Statistics
M.S. Required
Courses (14 semester credits)
- STAT 501-502
Intermediate
Math Stat - 6 credits (prerequisite: STAT 424)
- STAT 505-506 Linear
Stat
Models - 6 credits (prerequisites: MATH 333, STAT 424, & STAT
410 or
STAT 412)
- STAT 510 Statistical
Consulting
- 2 credits
Additional requirements
- The
M.S. degree
requires
completion of either a thesis or a writing project.
-
Thesis (Plan A):
The Plan A thesis typically requires 450-500 hours
of work. The student must register for at least 10 thesis
credits (STAT 590) in addition to the required 20 credits of course
work. The student must give an oral defense of his/her thesis.
-
Writing Project (Plan
B): The Plan B writing project typically
requires at least 90 hours of work, for which the student earns 2
credits
of STAT 575. With permission from the student's committee, additional
credits
of STAT 575 (no more than 4 total) may be earned. The written part of
the
project should be completed by the end of the Fall semester prior to
taking
the written M.S. Comprehensive Exam. The student must give a seminar on
the writing project before taking the exam.
- For either Plan
A
or Plan B, the student must pass a comprehensive
examination.
M.S. Comprehensive Exam
The M.S. comprehensive
exam is a four-hour written exam over material from
(1) the M.S. core
courses indicated below and (2) electives selected by the student, in
conjunction
with the student's graduate committee. The exam is given each April
with
the specific date determined by the department. The exam is graded as
PhD
pass, M.S. pass, or fail. Examinees will be informed of the results
within
three working days of taking the exam. - M.S. Core Courses for
the M.S. Comprehensive Exam (12 semester credits)
- STAT 501-502
Intermediate
Probability & Statistics
- STAT 505-506 Linear
Models
- Elective Courses for
the M.S. Comprehensive Exam (6 semester credits from Stat 446, Stat
431, or 500 level electives)
Copies of old
exams are available only to people on math department
computers.
The M.S. comprehensive exam
may be repeated once. At the discretion of the student's committee, an
oral
exam over the M.S. course work may be required.
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